Stepwell in Qutb Shahi tombs complex restored

The garden of the Qutb Shahi tombs is a deep stepwell of dressed granite. “It is probably one of the earliest structures here, along with the Idgah and might pre-date the necropolis. The other boalis (stepwells) are built on rocky outcrops. This one is built into the earth with huge blocks of hand-dressed stone blocks and masonry,” says Ratish Nanda of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which is working in coordination with the State government to restore the tombs complex. The Qutb Shahis ruled the Golconda kingdom between 1518 and 1687. Restoring a deep stepwell presents its own challenges. “Portions of the stone blocks had bulged out and required to be reset; this was dangerous due to the depth of the baoli. We also needed to channelise rainwater into it, requiring extensive restoration of earth levels all around out,” says Mr Nanda.